The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-10-08
In the House.

In the House to-day the special order was
the bill to amend the charter of the city of
Atlanta, SO that, if in the event that at the
next election Fulton county goes wet, the
sale of liquor shall be restricted to within
an area of one-half a mile from the artesian
well, on the business streets, and fixing the
license to sell splrltuous liquors at 81 800
year. The bill provided that the provisions
of the measure were not to go into effect
until voted on and ratified by the people at
an election to be held in December
Mr.. Howell, of Fulton, introduced an
amendment by request of the City Council
restricting the sale to what is known as the
''zigzag" limit, a limit framed to favor GER
tain interests. Mr.. Howell urged the pas
sage of the bill as amended. He reviewed
the last prohibition election and said that
the object in amending the charter was to
settle the question and do away with bit
ter fight that threatens TO come if q compro-
mise is not effected. The City Council
wants the bill passed, and that body speaks
for Atlanta.
Mr.. Bray, of Fulton, opposed the bill,
first, because it was open to the objection of
class legislation, undemocratic in its opera
tion and effect, and contrary to the spirit
and genius of republican and democratic
government; second, that the people did not
desire the proposed legislation. The fixed
policy of the State was that of local option,
law. Third that the good faith in the opin-
ion OF the people expressed at the ballot-box
nearly two yeras ago required acquiescence
in the law as then enacted. He was
satisfied that the Prohibitionists and a
majority of the i-Prohibitionists not in
terested in the sale of whisky or other
wise were opposed TO it, Their views were
reflected in the remarks made. He pro-
fessed to know something of the views of
the people of Atlanta, having resided there
from early youth to the present with but
brief and short intervals, for the past forty
years. He knew that the wealth, intelli-
gence and virtue of the community of
brave, intellectual, generous men, and of
bright, beautiful lovely and chaste women
we've opposed to seeing the city rent and
torn by two elections, alike damaging the
material interests and morality of the
city. He believed in the principle
of local option, which had been estab-
hshed by the courts as constitutional
and that experience had tested it
as a correct arbitrament of the subject
The submission of the question was the only
true test to determine the progress of
opinion, and the desire of the people. He
appealed to the Prohibitionists and Anti Pro-
hibitionists, and to the Democrats, and to
all who believed in the principles of popular
government to stigmatize this attempt at
class legislation, and subversion of the true
principles of the government.
ALL CLASS LEGISLATION
Mr.. We'll, Of Fulton, said that the whole
question of prohibiting the sale of liquor
was class legislation. At the last election
It was held that the objection to selling
liquor was that it was sold in all localities.
and not restricted to any portion of the city.
The Prohlbitionists opposed the bill because
they thought that the passage of it would
give the cause that they advocate a black
eye. He said that Atlanta voted against the
sale OF liquor, but she wanted it, and got all
She wanted He wanted its sale restricted
Ind inspected, so that the people could get
what they wanted and get the best.
The previous question was called and Mr.
Howell concluded the debate. He stated
that the bill was introduced in the Council
by Prohibitionist and was passed by pro-
aibition votes. Before proceeding further
ne desired to say in reference to remark
made In his first speech. that the question
was not to be literally taken but was drawn
rom an inference. He had stated that a
minister of Atlanta who had figured con-
Ipicuously in the prohibition cause, said be-
iore the Corporation Committee that he
would rather see Atlanta deluged in
whisky than to vote for the re-
friction bill The minister referred
had stated in so many words that he
would rather have unrestricted whisky as it
vas before than to vote for such q bill
his meant a deluge of whisky, and those
ronl6ltionists who so vigorously opposed
ne effort TO settle this vital question,
n0~eo mat their course was fraud and